Chapter 2
Years went by and Lily went thru school just like her brothers. Harry watched as she grew up right in front of him. He watched as she and her brothers fought over the normal childish things and watched her fight for independence. He watched as his daughter fell in love for the first time and watched as her heart broke afterwards. But thru it all he knew that someday soon some young man would come and steal her heart and it would be forever. And all too soon that day came.
Lily had been working in the Department of Sports and Games at the ministry when she met Jason Fredrick Wood. He was the youngest son of Oliver Wood and his wife. It took them a year before they became engaged. Harry was just starting to get used to the idea of his daughter becoming a wife to anyone let alone to the son of a friend of his.
All too soon the day he dreaded came upon him. He was standing in the back of the church trying to calm himself so he wouldn't cry on his daughters big day. Even though he didn't really want her to ever get married he didn't want to ruin it with his emotions. He was lost in thought when Ginny came up beside him escorting their daughter to his side.
"It's time. I'll just go find my escort to my seat. You love beautiful darling." Ginny said with a tear in her eye. Harry gave her a quick kiss and Ginny was gone. The bridesmaids and groomsmen went painfully slow through the double doors into the sanctuary. Harry offered his arm to his daughter. As they stepped thru the doors He tightened his grip a little.
Lily smiled a little sadly at her father. She could tell that he didn't want to let go of her. As they went down the aisle she whispered to her dad.
"Daddy, no matter what I'll always be your baby girl. I love you but I'm ready. You and mum has taught me well." she said in a low voice. Harry squeezed her arm. She looked over at his face to see tears starting to fall. Harry walked his little girl to the front of the church to stand next to the man who would become her husband but he couldn't bring himself to let go quite yet.
The grey haired preacher stood in front of them and asked in a serious voice. "Who gives this woman to marry this man?"
"Her mother and I do" He said in a voice that cracked with emotion. Tears fell freely down his face. He knew he had to let go now but he was having trouble convincing his heart. He stood there looking at his daughter trying to find the courage to let go when she spoke softly to him once again.
"Daddy you have to let go now. I'll be ok. I'm ready to be on my own. It's a little scary but You and mum have shown me what it takes to be married. You can let go now." she said in a confident voice.
Harry slowly let go of her arm and went to sit next to his wife who was crying. They watched as their daughter said her vows and exchanged the rings. With a final kiss they were married and Harry couldn't help but feel a little sad. His little girl was married. But when she turned to him in the church he couldn't help but smile at her.
She walked over to him when they all reached the reception. Smiling brightly she hugged her Dad fiercely.
"you look happy pumpkin" Harry told his daughter softly.
"I am daddy. Incredibly happy." Lily told him. " You know I really am going to be ok."
"I know it's just hard for a father to see his baby girl all grown up." Harry said as he released her. He watched her as she walked away. As she danced her first dance with her husband he finally came to the conclusion that she would be fine. If her husband loved her as much if not more than he did she would be fine.
I was standin' at the altar
Between the two loves of my life
To one I've been a daughter
To one I soon would be a wife
When the preacher asked,
'Who gives this woman?'
Daddy's eyes filled up with tears
He kept holdin' tightly to my arm
'Til I whispered in his ear
You can let go now, Daddy
You can let go
Oh, I think I'm ready
To do this on my own(
It's still) (It still feels) a little bit scary
But I want you to know
I'll be okay now, Daddy
You can let go